When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered.

1. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Teachers must have a reason to use the technology; it is important to promote teacher-development of projects or plans were teachers can apply technology to meet particular instructional and student needs identified within such projects or plans.

2. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Curricula must drive technology; technology should not dictate curricula.

3. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Check out what other schools have done-both successes and failures. Seeing a system in use makes it easier to envision in your own school, an you can learn from the mistakes of others

4. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Don't accept materials or hardware that do not fit with the curriculum and technology plans. Haphazard acquisitions or computers here and there will not bring the school up-to-date technologically. Technology involves interfacing with other classrooms, libraries and networks.

5. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Training teachers is critical and ongoing. Set aside time and money for formal training classes as well as opportunities for teachers to discuss discoveries or problems with their colleagues. Training should account for at least one third of the budget allocated for the educational technology program or initiative.

6. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Technology planning is never-ending. A technology plan cannot be developed and the technology committee then disbanded. As the project is implemented, as technology changes, as the school grows, the plan must change.

7. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • The technology plan must include maintenance, trouble-shooting and network management.

8. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Acquiring technology is not a matter of plugging in a computer. It will affect all aspects of the school culture, from architecture to interpersonal relations.

9. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Include the whole picture in your plan and training program.

10. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Technology requires community support and involvement. Money, inkind services, and training must come from all parts of the community and will cross traditional boundaries.

11. When doing technology planning several factors must be constantly considered. • Administrative support and involvement is critical to the successful integration of technology; Studies constantly show that the commitment and interest of the principal is the most critical factor for successful implementation of any school innovation-especially technology.

12. Credits “Implementing Technology in Education: Recent Findings from Research and Evaluation Studies” By John Cradler, Far West Laboratory http://www.wested.org/techpolicy/recapproach.html